Australia call for Starc

Australia have called up left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc as cover during the remainder of the NatWest Series while they assess Brett Lee and Shane Watson’s calf injuries.

Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc could feature for Australia in the last match of the NatWest Series at Old Trafford on Tuesday

The tourists, 3-0 down against England with just the final one-day international to come at Old Trafford on Tuesday, are hoping to discover the extent of fast bowler Lee and batting all-rounder Watson’s injuries after scans.

Both pulled up sore while bowling in yesterday’s eight-wicket defeat at the Emirates Durham ICG and had to leave the field after they were unable to complete their spells.

Starc, 22, last represented his country in the Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean three months ago. Today's call-up came while playing for Yorkshire in the Friends Life t20 North Group clash with Derbyshire.

An Australia team spokesman said: “We have called up Mitchell Starc as cover, because we are still assessing the two injured players.”